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Similarly, in the case of some Hindu festivals, the temples are thronged by a substantial number of persons belonging to other religious groups as well, who have a staunch faith and come in full reverence to pay homage to the presiding deities. On festive occasions, the Hindu devotees out-number all other participants in the shrines belonging to other religions. They live in close harmony as a well-knit community and the three main religious groups are Hindus, Muslims, and Christians, who celebrate their fairs and festivals with a sense of mutual respect. The inhabitants have successfully concentrated their histrionic talents in the field of art, literature, drama, music, and dancing and are known for their rich cultural and religious fervor. Another notable feature is that in spite of several alien invasions, onslaughts, and internal conflicts, the ancient culture and civilization have not suffered much devastation. Literature and civilization and the rare Tamil manuscripts in the Thanjavur library corroborate this fact. Thanjavur under the Chola rulers was the cradle of Tamil Culture. The period of Chola Kings was not only considered as epoch-making but also an era of the cultural renaissance.
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Art gallery, the great Saraswathi Mahal library, the ‘Sangeetha Mahal’ (hall of music), the thriving of classical music and dance known as ‘Bharatnatyam’ and the celebration of the grand annual music festival at Thiruvaiyaru, in honor of the great Saint Thyagaraja, all bear testimony to the cultural heritage. Many of these temples reflect the power, genius, and architectural grandeur of their authors displaying the unique and magnificent proficiency in sculpture, painting, and wood carving.
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Hence the district stands distinguished in the state even in its large number of temples, whose legends extend deep into early historic times. They were not only excellent rulers but also mighty builders, who erected a large number of exquisite temples in their empire, some of which constitute the finest specimens of architecture. Thanjavur attained prominence under the Chola rulers who were paramount in South India during the 9th to 12th centuries. British records refer to the city as Tanjore. The administrative powers of Thanjavur were given over to British Empire under the signed treaty of 1799. After the fall of the Chola dynasty, the city was ruled by a number of dynasties like Pandyas, Nayaks, Marathas, and the British. The city rose to prominence during the rule of Chola monarch King Vijayalaya Chola who made it the headquarters of the Chola dynasty. Later, the word “Thancheiur” has become “Thanjavur”. “Than”-cold, “chei”-farmland, “ur”- city means city surrounded by cold farmlands. The word Thanjavur is indeed a Tamil name. It is a historical place ruled by Cholas, Pandyas, Nayaks, and Marathas and was under British rule till Independence.Īccording to local legend, the word Thanjavur is derived from “Tanjan”, an Asura (giant) in Hindu who was killed in what is now Thanjavur by the Hindu god Neelamegha Perumal, a form of Vishnu. The temples, culture, and architecture of Thanjavur are famous throughout the world. Thanjavur district is called ‘the Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu’ because of its agricultural activities in the delta region of river Cauvery. It consists of nine Taluks – Thiruvidaimarudur, Kumbakonam, Papanasam, Pattukkottai, Peravurani, Orathanadu, Thanjavur, Thiruvaiyaru and Budalur. Thanjavur is also home to Tanjore painting, a painting style unique to the region. The foremost among these, the Brihadeeswarar Temple, is located in the center of the city.
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Most of the Great Living Chola Temples, which are UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, are located in and around Thanjavur. Thanjavur is an important center of South Indian religion, art, and architecture.